Greetings! Thanks for your interest and for taking the time to get to know me. I have only lived in two cities my entire life one by choice, the other by birth. I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri , and lived there up until I graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla . I have nothing against Kansas City, but Ive always had a longing to live near the ocean, so I set my sights on warm, coastal states after graduation. | |||
My formal education includes undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Missouri-Rolla. I went on to attain graduate degrees in Computer Science and an MBA from Webster University since then. I know nothing to do with writing. It pays the bills until I can sustain my standard of living with my writing endeavors always the eternal optimist. J |
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I had a typical 'Leave it to Beaver' childhood. My father was a hard-working man who owned his own automobile service station (Conoco) in Kansas City, working as a mechanic 6 days / 60+ hours a week to provide for my mother, older brother and I. He never once complained and seemed happy and content with his life. He was a very noble man. He passed away in 1988 from a cerebral aneurysm went to work one day and didnt come back. It was that quick. He was 49. | |||
My
mother died a few years after lung cancer but I think a broken heart
advanced her condition. She never recovered from my fathers death. None of us really
have, but it was most difficult on her. She was 50. I speak of their passing only to let you know what motivates me. Time is precious. I no longer take it for granted. I try to do as much as I can with my time while I have the opportunity smelling the roses along the way. I had planned on waiting until I retired from my corporate career before embarking on my second career in writing, but my parents death accelerated my plans. Why wait? Ive only worked for 2 major companies in my life both by choice. I had an easy time in high school, graduating at the top of my class at Grandview High School , but college was a different story a rude awakening. I struggled in college. I was so burnt out after my freshman year that I knew I wouldnt make it four years straight if I couldnt take more than a summer break every year. I found a cooperative education program that allowed me to work every other semester while I continued in school until I graduated. From this cooperative education program, I was fortunate enough to land a job with AT&T as a computer programmer when I was 18 . I stuck with the program and worked every other semester with AT&T until I graduated. It took me 5 years to graduate, but I had accumulated 4 years of experience in the corporate world and a lot of companies out there were knocking on my dorm door. AT&T offered me a management job in Jacksonville, Florida and I jumped at the chance. I spent the next 8 years working for different divisions within AT&T, gaining experience and climbing the corporate ladder. Ive since landed a better job with Bank of America, and find myself managing a group of project managers supporting electronic commerce, MIS, and Risk Management initiatives all over the US. Its a challenging and rewarding job, but one Id give up in a heartbeat if my writing endeavors were as lucrative as my corporate career. For now, I do both. My interest in fantasy stems from my affiliation with Dungeon & Dragons throughout the years. I probably played or dungeon-mastered every D&D module that was ever produced in the 1980s. I find it ironic that the producers of D&D have the same initials as I do TSR. Coincidence? When Im not working or writing, you can find me: in martial arts dojos (I have 4 black belts in Taekwondo, Jujitsu, Shorin-Ryu Karate, Shindo Muso-Ryu Jodo and am now learning Aikido); in comedy clubs (big fan and part-time standup comic); and in fitness centers (certified personal trainer and weekend warrior). Stay in shape, laugh often, and maintaining a sense of discipline are the three keys to my success.
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I have an amazing family that helps me but also humbles me - Arden, Kane and Trinity! I am blessed and thankful for their continued support and love. J
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